Orbital lymphangioma: an analysis of 26 patients

• Published in: British journal of ophthalmology Vol. 83; no. 1; pp. 76 - 80
• Main Authors: Tunç, Murat, Sadri, Ehsan, Char, Devron H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMA House, Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9JR BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 01.01.1999; BMJ; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Accuracy; Adolescent; Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Carbon dioxide; Child; Child, Preschool; Eye movements; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Infant; Lasers; Lymphangioma - diagnostic imaging; Lymphangioma - pathology; Lymphangioma - surgery; Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; NMR; Nuclear magnetic resonance; Ophthalmology; orbital lymphangioma; Orbital Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Orbital Neoplasms - pathology; Orbital Neoplasms - surgery; Original articles - Clinical science; Patients; Retrospective Studies; Sensitivity and Specificity; Surgery; Tomography, X-Ray Computed - methods; Treatment Outcome; Tumors; Tumors and pseudotumors of the eye, orbit, eyelid, lacrimal apparatus; Visual Acuity; San Francisco California; Human; Histopathology; Treatment; Radiologic investigation; Cardiovascular disease; Orbit(eye) disease; Clinical investigation; Benign neoplasm; Orbit(eye); Lymphatic vessel disease; Lymphangioma
• ISSN: 0007-1161; 1468-2079
• DOI: 10.1136/bjo.83.1.76

AIM To evaluate retrospective data on the clinical findings, histological features, radiological diagnosis, and management outcomes in orbital lymphangioma. METHODS Data on 26 orbital lymphangioma patients managed over 16 years were re-evaluated. The computed tomograph and magnetic resonance scans and histological slides were reviewed. Parametric techniques were used to assess correlations among clinical, radiological, and histopathological factors. RESULTS At presentation proptosis was present in 85%, ptosis in 73%, and restrictive eye movements in 46% of patients. The accuracy of the initial radiology interpretations was 77%. 24 cases required one or more surgeries. The mean follow up was 9.2 years (range 1–14 years). 58% of patients developed recurrences. In cases that recurred, motility restriction was significantly more frequent at initial examination than cases without recurrence (p<0.05). After therapy, 75% of patients were satisfied with their visual function and cosmetic appearance. CONCLUSIONS Conservative management of orbital lymphangioma with multiple partial resections may achieve satisfactory results.